Lamentations 4:10-17

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁰ The hands of compassionate women
    have boiled their own children;
they became their food
    in the destruction of my people.^(A)

¹¹ The Lord gave full vent to his wrath;
    he poured out his hot anger
and kindled a fire in Zion
    that consumed its foundations.^(B)

¹² The kings of the earth did not believe,
    nor did any of the inhabitants of the world,
that foe or enemy could enter
    the gates of Jerusalem.^(C)

¹³ It was for the sins of her prophets
    and the iniquities of her priests,
who shed the blood of the righteous
    in her midst.^(D)

¹⁴ Blindly they wandered through the streets,
    so defiled with blood
that no one was able
    to touch their garments.^(E)

¹⁵ “Away! Unclean!” people shouted at them;
    “Away! Away! Do not touch!”
So they became fugitives and wanderers;
    it was said among the nations,
    “They shall stay here no longer.”^(F)

¹⁶ The Lord himself has scattered them;
    he will regard them no more;
no honor was shown to the priests,
    no favor to the elders.^(G)

¹⁷ Our eyes failed, ever watching
    vainly for help;
we were watching eagerly
    for a nation that could not save.^(H)